For the second consecutive week, and for the fourth time in his last six starts, Ladys Big Stormont emerged victorious over his rivals in the NAADA Trotting Series event at Monticello Raceway on Thursday.
But unlike his other triumphs the big strapping altered son of Earl Of Stormont came charging with a furious rally in the lane to score a 2:00.2 victory for his owner and driver, Alan Schwartz.
“I was thinking about leaving and challenging for the lead but when three others had the same idea I grabbed leather and looked for room along the pylons,” Schwartz explained.
And Schwartz's move proved beneficial despite being 10 lengths in arrears as Joe Lee, with Soul Train, and Joe Faraldo, with Tough Get Going led the field by the first quarter in a swift :28-second clip.
Soul Train showed the way to the half as the timer there flashed :58.
“I was caught near the back of the pack and was looking for somewhere to go but there was no room other than to follow the leaders.” Schwartz related.
However he wiggled his way out off the pylons but at the three quarters Schwartz saw the leaders getting away from him so he moved to the far outside and although his trotter was seventh at the top of the lane once they straightened for paydirt Ladys Big Stormont hit another gear and began gobbling up his rivals and trotted clear for a 1-1/2 length triumph.
“I raced him many times over the past four seasons but he was never as strong at the end of a mile as he was today,” Schwartz said smiling.. “He even amazed me.”
But the victory also amazed Ladys Big Stormont's backers as the gelding paid $14.20; $6.70 and $8.90 (no typo here) across the board.
It was the 40th lifetime victory for veteran trotter who raised his career bankroll to over $319,000.
In the NAADA contest, where the top three in points at series end, will vie for a chance to be determine the candidate who'll represent NAADA against their Italian counterparts later this year. With three series legs remaining Schwartz leads the way 39 points. Joe Lee (35) and Joe Faraldo (34) follow but also in the hunt are Bob Krivelin (28) and Paul Minore (27) and Monica Banca (24).
The next leg will be on Thursday, May 2nd at Yonkers Raceway.
(NAADA